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EnglishHow to choose where to live in Spain
- Starting point: the article points out that the most often mentioned places, Menorca, Seville, Málaga, Barcelona or Valencia, may not suit you. The mismatch has less to do with the cost of living than with each person's personality.
- Sociable types: people who like meeting others often head for lively cities such as Barcelona or Madrid, or for neighbourhoods near the centre, where population density and cultural diversity are higher.
- Quiet types: those who prefer reading at home or having friends over on a Saturday night will lean towards a more isolated place; the island of Mallorca is mentioned for its peace and quiet.
- Criteria to review: being close to family or friends, family roots, sea or mountains, an artistic or sporting environment, schools and education, job opportunities in your field, transport links, architecture and landscapes, multiculturalism, food.
- Key point: there is no formula. The article invites you to list your own priorities before choosing, as each person values different things.
What is your favourite city in Spain? Many people would answer without hesitation: Menorca, Seville, Málaga, Barcelona, Valencia... The truth is that, for you, the best place to live may be none of these.
Why? These places could be far from ideal for you, and not because of the cost of living or how hard it is to live there: they may simply not suit your personality.
Your personality shapes your choices
When choosing your new city, you need to take into account what you really like and what interests you, so that you feel at ease.
People who enjoy interacting with others and meeting new people tend to prefer the places most people go to. Barcelona or even Madrid, two Spanish cities known for their nightlife, could be a good choice, for example. However, this is not a rule.
Those who are bolder, more sociable and more open may be happier living near the centre, where population density and cultural diversity are greater.
On the other hand, if you prefer the peace and quiet of reading while looking out of the window, or inviting friends over on a Saturday night, you may be better off living somewhere more isolated. Here we could mention the island of Mallorca, known for its tranquillity.
The things that matter most to you
It is essential to analyse the things that matter to each of us as individuals with professions, tastes, emotions, wishes, experiences, aspirations, fears and certainties. These are the reasons why someone chooses Madrid instead of Málaga, Oviedo over Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca instead of Valencia, and so on.
There is no formula for choosing where to move: each person is unique and values different things. To help you organise your thoughts when choosing a new place to live, you can consider the following:
- Having acquaintances, family or friends nearby
- Family roots: “Spain is calling me, it is the land of my great-grandparents”
- Peace of mind and switching off: “I want to live in a town far from everything”
- Bustle and city life: “I love big, noisy cities”
- Living near the sea
- Living near the mountains
- An artistic environment
- A sporty atmosphere
- Schools and education
- Job opportunities in your field
- Connections with other cities and the rest of the world
- Architecture, landscapes and history
- Multiculturalism
- Food
- And the simple “I visited the city, I loved it and I want to live there”
Would you like to buy an apartment or a house in Spain? Contact us!
Source: oirealtor
Thomas Rouer is the founder of Alveo Search and the CEO of the Alveo group. Based in Spain for almost ten years, he develops property services designed for the specific needs of foreign buyers.
His expertise covers every aspect of buying property in Spain: understanding the market, searching for and selecting properties, negotiation, financing, paperwork, tax and securing the purchase process.
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